Accurate Positioning with Incremental or Absolute Encoders

The APR provides the flexibility of using high-resolution absolute or incremental optical encoders. The absolute encoder option allows instant initialization at the time of power up and eliminates the need for a home cycle. Incremental encoders are available for a cost-effective, accurate, high resolution, high dynamic performance stage. Both incremental and absolute encoders provide exceptional accuracy and fine stepping capability. The APR stages are available with high-accuracy encoder options. In addition, calibration can be employed to further improve the accuracy of all APR stages.

Low Total Indicator Runout (TIR) Mounting Surfaces

On standard APR stages, the payload is mounted directly to the precision-ground stage shaft via an eight-bolt hole pattern on the top of the shaft. The top surface and the aperture of the shaft are precision–machined for minimal surface runout with respect to stage motion. Precision-ground tabletop options provide more traditional metric or English hole-patterns while maintaining low surface runout of the tabletop mounting surface and aperture.

High Speed, High Bandwidth

Rapid acceleration and high velocity are key features of the APR stages. Customers can command rapid incremental or continuous rotary motion with the high-torque brushless motors in the APRs. Due to the direct-drive motor and the stage’s high stiffness, the APR can provide high-bandwidth motion for oscillations, motion profiling and rapid position or velocity tracking.

Brushless Direct-Drive

To maximize positioning performance, the APR series utilizes Aerotech’s brushless, slotless motors. Various winding options and motor stack heights are available for applications ranging from high-speed at a low input voltage or low current to high torque at a higher voltage. The motors are noncontact, so there are no brushes or gears to maintain. This allows the APR stages to provide many years of high performance operation with low cost of ownership. The motor’s slotless, ironless construction features almost zero cogging (torque ripple). This makes the APR ideal for applications requiring outstanding contoured motion, smooth scan velocity and precision motion profiling.

High Load Capacity and Large Moment Stiffness

Sturdy stage construction and separated angular contact bearings result in large load capacity and high moment stiffness for the APR stages. The APRs can excel in applications where the rotation axis is parallel or perpendicular to gravity and the payload center of gravity is cantilevered away from the stage.

Brake (Optional)

Metrology (Required)

Option

Description

-PL3

Metrology, uncalibrated with performance plots

-PL4

Metrology, calibrated (HALAR) with performance plots

Integration (Required)

Aerotech offers both standard and custom integration services to help you get your system fully operational as quickly as possible. The following standard integration options are available for this system. Please consult Aerotech if you are unsure what level of integration is required, or if you desire custom integration support with your system.

Option

Description

-TAS

Integration - Test as systemTesting, integration, and documentation of a group of components as a complete system that will be used together (ex: drive, controller, and stage). This includes parameter file generation, system tuning, and documentation of the system configuration.

-TAC

Integration - Test as components Testing and integration of individual items as discrete components that ship together. This is typically used for spare parts, replacement parts, or items that will not be used together. These components may or may not be part of a larger system.